Jackies just one step from completing ‘Drive for Five’
By Daire Walsh
ALMOST two years to the day since their male counterparts created history by securing a fifth consecutive All-Ireland Senior Football Championship title, the Dublin ladies footballers will be aiming to do the same when they meet provincial rivals Meath in a Brendan Martin Cup decider at Croke Park on Sunday (throw-in 4.15pm).
Currently on an unbeaten championship run of 25 games under team manager Mick Bohan, the Jackies will be firm favourites to remain on top of the LGFA ladder.
All-Ireland intermediate champions as recently as last December, Meath have proven themselves to be the surprise package in this year’s top-tier competition.
While claiming five All-Ireland final victories on the bounce won’t be a unique feat (Kerry won nine senior titles in-a-row between 1982 and 1990), it is an achievement that would be warmly greeted in the capital.
There has been considerable local interest in this Dublin side throughout their extraordinary run in recent years and it has been no different in 2021.
Having opted out of the inter-county scene last year, versatile Thomas Davis star Olwen Carey returned for the Blues’ successful National Football League campaign and has been a mainstay of the side during the summer months. She is joined in the half-back line by her club-mate Siobhan McGrath, the Senior Players’ Player of the Year in 2019.
Having found herself on the brink of the starting line-up in 2020, Ballinteer St John’s defender Orlagh Nolan has worked her way into the frame for the Jackies’ ‘drive for five’.
A former underage soccer international with the Republic of Ireland, she is expected to hold onto her place for Sunday’s game.
Another past exponent of another sport who has made her presence felt in this Dublin outfit is none other than Clondalkin native Hannah Tyrrell
Despite being starting out-half for the Ireland women’s rugby team as recently as April, she subsequently threw her lot in with the Sky Blues.
What part she was to play in their season was unclear at first, but after shining in a league opener against Waterford, it soon became evident it was to be a substantial one. In just nine appearances across league and championship, she has registered an outstanding tally of 3-48.
Her readjustment to inter-county ladies football – she previously lined out in goal for the Dublin seniors in the 2014 NFL – is all the more remarkable when you consider she went six years without playing a competitive game, before eventually returning in the colours of her adopted club Na Fianna last summer.
A virtual certainty for an All Star, Tyrrell could well be in the frame for Player of the Year with another strong performance this weekend.
Elsewhere, Lucan Sarsfields teenager Abby Shiels is expected to be named on the bench as back-up to regular netminder Ciara Grant. She was an ever-present in the NFL and has been earmarked as one for the future.
On the Meath side, there is one player who will be familiar to members of Templeogue Synge Street GFC. Ratoath corner-back Katie Newe is the daughter of former ‘Synger’ footballer Brendan, while she also has a number of uncles and cousins who have featured for the club over the years.
Meanwhile, the All-Ireland intermediate showpiece involving Westmeath and Wexford at GAA HQ (throw-in 1.45pm) will capture the attention of Women’s National League champions Peamount United.
One of the Newcastle club’s star performers, Lucy McCartan will lead the Westmeath attack as they seek to bounce back from last year’s final reversal to Meath.